ILLINOIS
1. ROUTE 66 BEGIN SIGN( CHICAGO): The symbolic starting point of Route 66. Most travelers stop here for the classic“ begin” photo before heading west.
2. LOU MITCHELL’ S( CHICAGO): A legendary breakfast stop that has fueled Route 66 travelers since the highway’ s early days, known for its welcoming vibe and old- school charm.
3. OLD JOLIET PRISON( JOLIET): A historic limestone prison famous for its appearances in The Blues Brothers and various TV shows, now a major Route 66 landmark.
4. JOLIET ROUTE 66 DINER( JOLIET): A retro-style diner celebrating Route 66 culture with classic comfort food and nostalgic decor just off the historic alignment.
5. GEMINI GIANT( WILMINGTON): One of Route 66’ s most famous fiberglass“ Muffler Man” statues, holding a rocket – pure roadside Americana.
6. POLK- A- DOT DRIVE- IN( BRAIDWOOD): A retro 1950s- style diner decorated with pop culture statues and memorabilia honoring music and film legends.
7. THE SHOP IN GARDNER( GARDNER): An eclectic little shop known for its Coca- Cola and Route 66 memorabilia. The owner, Tom Perkins, will be sure to greet you.
8. AMBLER’ S TEXACO GAS STATION( DWIGHT): A beautifully restored 1930s service station, showcasing what fueling stops looked like in Route 66’ s early heyday.
9. ODELL STANDARD OIL STATION( ODELL): Another preserved early gas station, now a museum stop that captures the golden age of roadside travel.
10. ROUTE 66 MURALS AND HALL OF FAME MUSEUM( PONTIAC): A must- stop museum packed with memorabilia and artifacts celebrating Route 66 history. The town’ s murals are a sight as well.
11. DEAD MAN’ S CURVE( TOWANDA): A legendary bend in old Route 66 known for its winding approach and local lore from the highway’ s early driving days.
12. RAYBURN PLACE AT SPRAGUE’ S SUPER CEN- TER( BLOOMINGTON- NORMAL): A quirky Route 66 stop featuring classic roadside architecture and a collection of memorabilia tied to Illinois highway history.
13. PAUL BUNYAN STATUE( ATLANTA): A giant roadside statue of Paul Bunyan holding a hot dog instead of an axe – classic Route 66 humor.
14. AMERICAN GIANTS MUSEUM( ATLANTA): A roadside attraction dedicated to the massive fiberglass“ Muffler Men” that once lined Route 66 and other American highways.
15. WORLD’ S LARGEST RAILSPLITTER COVERED WAGON( LINCOLN): A massive covered wagon monument topped with a statue of Abraham Lincoln, celebrating local heritage and roadside whimsy.
16. COZY DOG DRIVE IN( SPRINGFIELD): The birthplace of the corn dog and a beloved Route 66 diner still serving travelers today.
17. ROUTE 66 SKYVIEW DRIVE- IN THEATER( LITCHFIELD): A classic outdoor movie theater that captures the nostalgia of mid- century American road travel.
18. LITCHFIELD MUSEUM AND ROUTE 66 WEL- COME CENTER( LITCHFIELD): A small but rich museum preserving local Route 66 history and stories from travelers.
19. HISTORIC ROUTE 66 BRICK ROAD( AUBURN): One of the last remaining original brick sections of Route 66, giving travelers a taste of the old road.
20. DOC’ S JUST OFF 66 SODA FOUNTAIN( GIRARD): A restored old- fashioned soda fountain serving ice cream in a small- town setting.
21. WEST END SERVICE STATION( EDWARDSVILLE): A replica early service station representing the golden age of roadside fuel stops along Route 66’ s western Illinois stretch.
5 22
6
RIDERMAGAZINE. COM / AUGUST 2026 / 43